Willow Glen has been a powerhouse in Central Coast Section softball the last few years. With Cal-bound Alanna Clincy on the mound, the Rams reached the CCS Open Division final last year with a 27-0 record, but lost in extra innings to St. Francis, and moved on in NorCal play.
In the Blossom Valley Athletic League, Mt. Hamilton Division, Willow Glen has been unbeatable.
On May 1, they headed down to Morgan Hill with a 34-game BVAL win streak, not having a loss in more than two years. It had been 758 days since a league opponent defeated the Rams.
The streak ended that afternoon, with a historic and majestic 1-0 victory by Live Oak.
On this day, the Acorns matched them play for play and pitch for pitch. It was scoreless through four and then a Kayla Tulowitzki double led to a Live Oak run in the fifth.
Acorns’ mound star Julianna Altamirano was dominating Willow Glen all day. Altamirano threw a three-hit, no-walk, 10-strikeout complete game shutout for the landmark win.
The accomplishment was not surprising to the Acorns—but also one of the biggest softball wins in school history.
“We went into the game knowing it would have to be a tight game for us to have a chance,” Live Oak coach Sarah Porras said. “Our defense played well and Julianna gave up nothing.”
The Rams had not lost since April 3, 2024. In addition to the pitching and hitting from Clincy, their lineup included Catalina Medina, who had committed to Arizona State. In 2026, they had beaten many powerful teams, including Valley Christian, and were 9-0 in BVAL play.
“I know their players from travel ball,” Altamirano said. “I had to win each pitch. I had to lock in and lock down. I only had one three-ball count. It felt awesome.”
That control produced zero Willow Glen walks, a key in the victory. Live Oak induced six walks but fanned 13 times against Clincy. Nothing paid off until the fifth.
“It was a battle,” Live Oak shortstop Eden Svoboda said. “In the fifth inning, we broke through. It reflects back to our practices.”
At that point, Tulowitzki had the at-bat of the game, doubling to left center. It was perhaps as momentous a hit as any by her father’s nephew, five-time Major League Baseball All-Star Troy Tulowitzki. Tulowitzki, who starred for the Colorado Rockies and other teams, hit .290 over 14 seasons and won two Gold Gloves at shortstop.
“I believe any day you can beat any team,” Kayla Tulowitzki said. “She (Clincy) is an amazing player. I wanted to get the ball on the ground or in a hole. It was an inside pitch and I hit it to left center.”
Coach Porras noted that the key was Tulowitzki’s speed, as that enabled her to get to second base on her hit. It also helped get her to third.
“The catcher bobbled a pitch and I stole a base,” Tulowitzki said. “To beat Willow Glen, you have to take advantage of any mistake.”
Clincy struck out Peyton Goularte to potentially end the inning, but the pitch was not caught cleanly. The ball was on the ground, enabling Goularte to try to get on base safely. She ran to first and the Rams needed to make the putout there.
However, the catcher’s throw hit her on the back of the helmet and got away. Goularte was safe as Tulowitzki sped home to score.
Altamirano, with two no-hitters to her credit last year, bore down. It was the first time the Rams had not scored in a league game in over three years. The Rams had not just won 34 in a row, but were 62-5 over the last five years in BVAL play.
“She (Julianna) was dealing,” coach Porras said. “She struck out Alanna twice. And she struck out the last batter of the game. Everyone ran to the mound to celebrate with her.”
The joyous party was on. Willow Glen’s streak had ended. Live Oak had the historic victory.
